Two More Victimized by Timeshare Resale Scam
June 29th, 2010
Two More Victimized by Timeshare Resale Scam
Patricia Valdez and Art Heist are just two more on the long list of desperate timeshare owners trying to sell their contracts who fell victim to the timeshare resale market. As Patricia recalls, “They guarantee they will sell your timeshare for you.” She made the unfortunate mistake of giving them her credit card first, the only way these kinds of companies operate. Patricia and Art were both promised that their timeshares would be sold, however; neither have actually heard from the company that has their information in months. “We would call there and they would not answer the phone,” Patricia states. Art describes his experience similarly, saying simply, “They just took my money and claimed they would sell the timeshare. They haven’t done anything.”
The Better Business Bureau believes timeshare resale scams as one of the biggest scams operating in the United States today. Michael Galvin of the BBB tells consumers to beware of timeshare resale companies telling you, “They can sell immediately, have interested buyers and can close in 30 days.” The BBB states simple that if a company is asking for money up front, that should be a red flag for consumers. Unfortunately for Art and Patricia, both have yet to see any return on their business with the resale companies, but for others out there, Galvin advises consumers to make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau about the company’s rating to prevent a similar fate.
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Featured TSR
Consumer Advisor
Sam & Telma Friedberg
Corporate Headquarters
2239 West 190th StreetTorrance, CA 90504
1-800-588-1582
I first met a representative from Timeshare Relief about 3 1/2 years ago. I received a postcard and went to a meeting at a hotel here in Sioux Falls, SD. Of course I was disappointed that they weren’t going to “buy” my timeshare from me (actually a few people walked out when they found they would be paying to get rid of their timeshare). He mentioned that there is practically no other escape if your children do not want it. (The timeshare community uses the fact that your unit will always stay in your family, going to your children after your death.) I couldn’t believe in my heart, after being in sales and marketing for over 20 years, that I could not get rid of it myself. I did listen to the rest of the presentation and was impressed that he was so upfront about the fact I would be paying. I stayed afterward, got all of the info in writing – without committing to using their services – I was even quoted a price. Of which I noted in the paperwork (which didn’t really matter since I threw it all away about a month later). For the next 2 years I really worked hard trying to get rid of it. Paying for ads – not just to sell it but also to GIVE IT AWAY. Couldn’t even give it to co-workers. Nothing worked. I received another postcard from Timeshare Relief – the one in Torrance, CA – in the spring of 2010. I spoke to my husband about it and we agreed I should contact them again. (My maintenance fees had risen to $750 a year – from the $425 (1999) it started out at) and we realized we had just in January made the 3rd annual payment since my original meeting. The three payments were just barely under what I would have paid to get rid of it three years earlier (not counting the headache, stress and money I spent trying to get rid of it for over two years). Needless to say I called Timeshare Relief. They wanted to have me wait to speak with one of the counselors – I said I had been through one of the seminars and told them when and I completely understood that I would be paying to be relieved of this mess. We negotiated a price and I was sent all of the paperwork. I faxed all of the paperwork needed for the sale on May 3rd – received more paperworek for us to sign and have notarized – paid my agreed upon paymentand sent the notarized paperwork back on May 17th, I believe it took about 3 weeks for the completion of the deed transfer. YEAH, I was off the hook and so was my children’s future. The transfer didn’t stop the calls from RCI – I politely told them I no longer owned it at least 3 times. The fourth time – they told me as far as they knew it was still in my name. I had never thought to check that!! Was I scammed? One quick call to the resort I had bought in confirmed that I NO LONGER OWNED IT. I could never be more thankful for not having the burden of that time share anymore. I was laid off my job mid 2010 and my husband was laid off in September 2010. No way we could have afforded the 2011 fee. Thank you, TimeShare Relief. Nothing was underhanded – everything was above board and I did not encounter one lie, deception, or misrepresentation. Anyone that wants to contact me concerning this can do so by mail and if you request I will contact you by phone or email.
Sincerely,
Vicki Sassani
4605 W Custer Ln Unit 305
Sioux Falls, SD 57106